Summer Program 2022

It all begins with an idea.

Almost a year in the making, our partnership with After School Matters and Movement came to fruition with the start of our first teen program starting July 7th and running through to August 11th.

Running every Thursday from 1-5PM our sessions allow the teens to have sustained and consistent time to explore the world of climbing.

Session 1

Getting started with the basics. The first session focused on getting everyone familiar with the gym and the etiquette for all of the different spaces. The ‘Introduction to Bouldering’ class led by Movement staff ensures all the participants are climbing safely and learning basic techniques.

Session 2

Climbing is more than strong fingers. The teens push themselves every session with physical challenges such as the plank, pull-ups and dead-hangs. In week two we had a guest fitness instructor to put everyone through their paces and ensure participants had the knowledge to build their own work out programs.

Session 3

Building from the foundation. Week three was the introduction of some new techniques to help the teens build their climbing arsenal. On top of the usual climbing and challenges this week included a guest yoga instructor to teach everyone about the importance of flexibility and mentality when it comes to climbing.

Session 4

Problem solving and opportunities. Week four we had the privilege of having the Movement Route Setters speak to the teens about how they plan and design problems as well as the path to becoming a route setter.

Session 5

Ropes! Change of location for week five taking the teens to Movement Lincoln Park to try some rope climbing. Everyone was taught how to tie in safely, do partner checks and send some long routes. The teens were also introduced to the concept of lead climbing, watching the instructors take some big falls, as well as looking through the tools used in trad climbing.

Session 6

Bittersweet. Week six was the culmination of their introduction to climbing with everyone pushing harder routes. We also had another special guest, James Lee, a physical therapist who talked about careers in exercise science and finger injury prevention. It’s always hard when a program comes to the end but we know we have some new lifelong climbers in our midst.